stablesmile
StableSmile aims to redefine the toothbrushing experience for users with involuntary tremors. By addressing the physical barriers, the project moves beyond simple thick handles to a holistic system: an arc-conforming brush head and a gravity-aware handle that compensates for instability through physics and form.
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problem
Over 200 million people in the world experience tremors. Strokes, Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremors are all forms of involuntary shaking. People with tremors experience involuntary shaking and struggle with daily routines like walking and performing small, precise motions. So we’ve identified a daily routine vital to human health: toothbrushing! We’ve learned that many patients with essential tremors have poor oral health due to worsening tremors.
solution
StableSmile is an ergonomic intervention designed to restore dignity and autonomy to the daily rituals of those living with Essential Tremors. By integrating mechanical stabilization with a user-centric form, the project simplifies complex fine-motor tasks into a seamless, effortless experience, ensuring that physical limitations never compromise oral health.
01 Research Story
Collaboration with dental specialists and clinical observations revealed a stark market gap: current options are either cost-prohibitive or ergonomically insufficient. Expert interviews debunked the necessity of high-frequency vibration for plaque removal, identifying that the primary need was a stable 3mm displacement and consistent bristle contact.
02 Minimizing Motion: The U-Brush
Developed in response to direct user feedback, the U-Brush conforms to the natural teethline arc. This geometry reduces the need for manual scrubbing motion. The innovative All-Around Bristles engage the full jaw simultaneously, reaching hard-to-access corners automatically and ensuring effective plaque removal regardless of hand steadiness.
The three-faceted, three-dimensional brush heads are designed to gently and effectively clean every area of the teeth.
The rotatable brush head allows for effortless side switching during brushing, enhancing overall user experience.
03 Gripping Stability: ERGONOMIC
By integrating a 20° ergonomic incline with a "lock-in" dual-grip system, StableSmile lowers the center of gravity and anchors the hand to ensure maximum stability without physical strain.
The 20° Incline: The neck is angled at 20 degrees, allowing users to brush without raising their elbows. This lowers the center of gravity and significantly increases stability.
Dual-Lock Grip: An integrated silicone strap secures the thumb, while the handle features a wave-inspired curve that naturally seats the four fingers. This "lock-in" design ensures the device remains an extension of the hand.
04 Rapid Sketching: Form & Ergonomics
This phase involved a rapid ideation process to explore a wide range of ergonomic forms. Through loose sketches and structured wireframes, I investigated various contours and grip architectures to optimize comfort and control. This iterative process of sketching and refining was crucial in defining the final, user-centric shape of the handle, ensuring a secure and natural fit for the hand.
05 Form Development: Precise Prototyping
Through numerous iterations, the arc geometry was fine-tuned to balance comfort with cleaning efficacy. Prototyping focused on the transition between the solid internal core—housing the vibration motor and counterweights—and the translucent outer shell that defines the user interface.
06 Design Details: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
Under the guiding principle of Form Follows Function, StableSmile integrates a suite of invisible technologies designed to eliminate the friction of traditional use. Every interaction is engineered for immediate response: a Kinetic Start system bypasses complex buttons to activate the device upon touch, while internal Passive Damping utilizes a solid counterweight to neutralize tremors in real-time. To ensure a balanced 2-minute routine, Haptic Guidance provides a tactile cadence every 30 seconds, signaling a switch in quadrant. The experience is anchored by a Magnetic Docking base, using high-strength attraction to ensure effortless alignment and charging without the need for manual precision.
Kinetic Start: Integrated sensors activate the device the moment it is picked up.
Passive Damping: A solid internal counterweight works with a vibration motor to neutralize hand oscillations.
Haptic Guidance: A 30-second haptic pulse alerts the user to switch sides, ensuring a balanced 2-minute routine.
Magnetic Docking: The charging base features high-strength magnets for "effortless placement," eliminating the need for precise alignment during charging.
07 CMF Design: FLUID REFLECTIONS
Inspired by the shifting reflections of the sky upon water, the palette captures a sequence of temporal moments—ranging from the ethereal glow of Dawn Champagne and Cloud White to the deep resonance of Sunset Blue-Violet and Midnight Black. To evoke the fluid, blurred quality of moving water, the body is encased in a matte frosted translucent plastic. This atmospheric shell is anchored by a brush head and magnetic charging base crafted from textured recycled medical-grade polymers, providing a high-friction, secure touchpoint that balances poetic aesthetics with functional stability.
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